Seal Shaman Breathing Hole - Jerome Saclamana

Seal Shaman Breathing Hole

Jerome Saclamana is a master at combining traditional elements of King Island art and infusing it with his own, more contemporary style. His shamans characteristically have a "winking" eye and the feather coming from the mouth reflects the shamanistic principle that the mouth is a supernatural portal. This piece reflects the method of hunting for seals during the winter where the hunter would seek out breathing holes in the ice and harpoon the seals when they would come up for air. The combination of the human and seal features show the connectivity of spirits and the deep respect for the animal and its sacrifice.